About me

My research centres on reducing complications associated with vascular access devices. My aim for future research is to continue to work closely with clinicians to provide an evidence base to reduce adverse events associated with these devices. One focus of my research is patients with cancer. This cohort require these devices for chemotherapy and other treatments and are at increased risk of adverse events.

My research concentrates on peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) and midlines. I work closely with PICC inserters internationally.

My PhD project examined vein choice for PICC insertion to prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE). Specifically I was able to determine the minimum vein diameter... Read more

About me

Hi and welcome to my home page.

My research centres on reducing complications associated with vascular access devices. My aim for future research is to continue to work closely with clinicians to provide an evidence base to reduce adverse events associated with these devices. One focus of my research is patients with cancer. This cohort require these devices for chemotherapy and other treatments and are at increased risk of adverse events.

My research concentrates on peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) and midlines. I work closely with PICC inserters internationally.

My PhD project examined vein choice for PICC insertion to prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE). Specifically I was able to determine the minimum vein diameter that should be used for PICC insertion to reduce the risk of this serious complication. Prior to my work, guidelines on PICC insertion did not quantify veins sizes needed to reduce the risk of thrombus. In my doctoral thesis, I was able to demonstrate that a PICC should not take up more than 45% of the vein. Taking up more of the vein increased the risk of thrombus by a factor of 10. My research was the first to provide evidence about safe vein sizes to use for PICCs, a device used for millions of patients around the world. These findings have been incorporated into the recent international guidelines for vascular access insertion and management.

I was privileged to present these results at conferences nationally and internationally, including the Association for Vascular Access (AVA) conference in Washington D.C 2014 and at the Australian Vascular Access Society Annual Scientific Meeting, Brisbane 2016.

In 2015 I participated in Fresh Science - a national competition for early-career researchers to showcase their research. The program takes up-and-coming researchers with no media experience and turns them into spokespeople for science, with a day of media training and presentation of their research at a public event. http://freshscience.org.au/2015/stopping-clots-and-cancer

I am currently working on a project with Prof Adrian Esterman from UniSA and clinicians from the RAH investigating whether electrocardiogram (ECG) can replace radiological means to verify correct PICC tip placement. .

CLINICAL: My background is in thoracic medicine, primarily working with people with cystic fibrosis, tuberculosis (TB) and lung cancer. I have extensive clinical experience managing patients with vascular access devices, including totally implanted vascular access devices (TIVADs), midlines and PICCs. I have also had experience working in acute surgical and mental health settings.

Current research & highlights

External engagement & recognition

Highlights

I was honoured to receive the Ian Davey Research Thesis Prize in 2016 for my doctoral work. This prize is awarded to the most outstanding research thesis at UniSA and is based on the quality, international standing of the examiners, content of their reports and the impact the thesis will have on communities beyond the University.